Formative Assessment

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What is the BEST formative Assessment site- and why?
  • All Things Assessment- it provides great resources for Assessment in the Classroom!
  • I like the ERS link by Protheroe as a basic overview of assessment. It's here: http://www.ers.org/spectrum/sum01a.htm Don't misunderstand: it's a very basic overview of what type of assessment is good for what type of group, but I love the comprehensive view of assessment, from the state to school boards to principals to the classroom teachers that is captured in the chart here:
  • Figure 1: Examples of Links between Purposes and Methods of Assessment
Purpose
Primary Users
Typical Questions
Type of Information Needed
Possible Assessment Methods
  • || Program Evaluation ||
    • Superintendent
    • Local boards
    • Principals
    • State policymakers
    1. Are our programs producing student learning?
    2. Which schools need more assistance?
    • Periodic assessment of group achivement
    • Multiple-choice tests
    • Performance tests/tasks
  • || Instructional Leadership ||
    • School administrators
    1. Are teachers and instructional strategies in given areas producing results?
    2. What kinds of professional development would help?
    3. How shall we spend building resources in support of instruction?
    4. What does this teacher need to ensure student competence?
    • Periodic Assessment of group achievement
    • Examination of student work (synthesis of group results)
    • Continuing assessment of group achievement
    • Multiple-choice tests
    • Possible: open-ended tests; performance tasks; portfolios
  • || Instruction: Classroom ||
    • Teachers
    1. Are my teaching strategies working?
    2. What do these students need help with?
    3. What do students understand and what can they apply?
    • Continuous assessment of group achievement & performance
    • Continuous assessment of individual performance summarized over time
    • Multiple means: multiple-choice, open-ended, performance
    • Multiple means as above, plus observation and class discussion
  • || Instruction & Diagnosis: Individual ||
    • Teachers
    1. What does this student need help with?
    2. What misconceptions/ strengths does he/she have?
**Continuous assessment of individual mastery/performance
    • Multiple means: analysis of student work, conversations, observations
What's missing, of course is student! That said, I think the chart is a solid overview!

I like this exerpt from http://www.nmsa.org/Publications/WebExclusive/Assessment/tabid/1120/Default.aspx and the clear connection with the concept of student ownership - it is a symphony afteral!
"Another distinction that underpins formative assessment is student involvement. If students are not involved in the assessment process, formative assessment is not practiced or implemented to its full effectiveness. Students need to be involved both as assessors of their own learning and as resources to other students"

This article provides some good, practical ideas that teachers can use and involve students. http://www.vtaide.com/png/ERIC/Formative-Assessment.htm
Listed below is a nice power point straight from the man himself, Rick DuFour and Solution Tree. You could use it in whole or make it your own.
  • www.whiteriver.wednet.edu/SCHOOLS/PLC/powerpoint/CommonFormativeAssessment.ppt